Flat peach tree named ‘ASFPBF0796’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of flat peach tree, denominated ‘ASFPBF0796’, has fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive red skin. Fruits can be consumed crunchy or melting.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘ASFPBF0796’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2009/0935 filed on May 18, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of flat peach tree, Prunus persica, which has been given the variety denomination ‘ASFPBF0796’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, semi-clingstone white flesh fruit for fresh market in July in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Contrast is made to ‘Nectarmagie’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) white nectarine tree, ‘ASFPBF0492’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,143) white flat peach tree, ‘Flatpretty’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389) white flat peach tree, standard varieties, for reliable description. ‘ASFPBF0796’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration before after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘ASFPBF0796’ white flat peach tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontagne’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘ASFPBF0796’ variety was selected from controlled crosses between the ‘Nectarmagie’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) white nectarine tree (female parent) and the ‘ASFPBF0492’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,143) white flat peach tree (male parent). Compared to the variety ‘ASFPBF0798’ (U.S. Pending Plant patent application Ser. No. 12/662,965), obtained with the same male and female parents, the ‘ASFPBF0796’ variety reaches maturity about 3 weeks earlier than ‘ASFPBF0798’. ‘ASFPBF0796’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, under number 01.29E.44 PBPL ASF 0796 and was registered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic on Dec. 1, 2008 under number 1028967. It was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a ‘Franc Inra Montclar’ (non-patented) or ‘Cadaman’ (non-patented) or ‘INRA GF 677’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree blooms in March at Perpignan in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. More particularly, it approximately blooms between the 1^(st) and the 12^(th) of March under normal climatic conditions, generally approximately 4 to 5 days earlier than the ‘Flatpretty’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389) white flat peach tree

The first fruit of ‘ASFPBF0796’ flat peach tree ripens during the last two weeks of July, generally about 10 to 12 days later than the ‘Flatpretty’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389) white flat peach tree. More particularly, it approximately ripens between July 21^(th) and July 31^(th) under normal climatic conditions. The date of maturity varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a branch bearing typical fruit specimens of the new variety, and leaves of the new variety, on a tree as found in our orchard.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a branch bearing a typical fruit specimen of the new variety, on a tree as found in our orchard.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which shows two whole fruits of the new variety and three leaves of the new variety, and a third fruit cut in half for depicting the fruit flesh, the pit cavity and the stone of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph with reverse and side views of flowers of the new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of the new variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘ASFPBF0796’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering begins semi-early to semi-late in springtime. The type of flower is showy with relative medium petal size. Petals are medium pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. Time of maturity for consumption is semi-late. Fruits are flat. The fruit flesh is white and its skin is thick, with a luminous red blush color. The stone is small. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

The new variety ripens slightly later than its male parent, which is the ‘ASFPBF0492’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,143) white flat peach tree, usually ripening on July 22 under normal climatic conditions. Comparatively, the male parent produces fruits with a luminous pinky red coloration.

In comparison to its female parent, which is ‘Nectarmagie’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) white nectarine tree the new variety is a white flat peach tree instead of a white nectarine tree. ‘Nectarmagie’ approximately ripens in the beginning of July, thus earlier than the new variety.

Compared to ‘Flatpretty’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389) white flat peach tree, the new variety produces fruits of better presentation with a more regular shape, smoother skin, with a more luminous and more intense red coloration covering 95% of the fruit skin surface instead of 50-70% for ‘Flatpretty’. The pistil cup is also better closed. A comparison of blooming and ripening periods' differences between the new variety and the ‘Flatpretty’ white flat peach variety is provided above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following was observed in 2008 and 2009 on trees in their third growing season, under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘Franc Inra Montclar’ (non-patented) trees or ‘Cadaman’ (non-patented) trees or ‘INRA GF 677’ (non-patented) trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large. The tree size the first             year was approximately 280 cm. The tree was pruned during             each following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 80 cm. The             tree size from the second year (second and next years)             reached a final height of 330 cm with current season shoots             length comprised.         -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The             whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,             with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0             meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was             about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by             hectare.         -   Vigor.—Considered vigourous. The present variety grew from             about 200 cm to 280 cm in height during the first growing             season. For second and following seasons, the variety was             pruned to an approximate height of 250 cm.         -   Productivity.—Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by             thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired             market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with             the prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices             employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not             distinctive of the present variety.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. Thinning of 2 fruits out of 3 was             necessary for the tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary             every year during the years of observation.         -   Form.—The ‘ASFPBF0796’ variety has naturally a semi-spread             to semi-upright shape.         -   Density.—Considered medium dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety had a good behavior under the central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions             and was selected for its hardiness. Experimentations on             different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised             between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behaviour of             the new variety in all cases. As a flat peach tree, the new             variety should potentially be more sensitive to frosty             conditions, low temperatures and climatic variations.             However, the new variety pistil cup appeared to be little             sensitive to cracking due to frosty conditions. The new             variety is expected to be hardy in all zones adapted to the             culture of peach trees. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately about 6.5 cm in diameter when             measured at a distance of approximately 30 cm above the soil             level.         -   Bark texture.—Considered slightly rough, with folds of             papery scarfskin being present.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The lenticels             range in size from approximately 2.0 to 4.0 millimeters in             width, and about 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters in height.         -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey             color (RHS Grey 201 D or RHS Black 202 D), whereas the             inside is considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166B).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little             more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS Grey 201 C             or RHS Black 202 C). -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are             considered medium for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The             current season shoots have a diameter from 5.0 to 7.0             millimeters, and observed branches have a diameter comprised             between 15.0 and 22.0 millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old             has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally between 60 degrees and 80             degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular             characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,             however.         -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture. — Substantially             glabrous.         -   Internode length.—Generally 22.0 millimeters to 30.0             millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Grey brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A             to B).         -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips             is considered a light green (RHS Green 144 A to C) on lower             part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is colored in             more or less brown-red (RHS Greyed Red 187 A to B or RHS             Greyed Red 182 A to C). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species. Leaf measurements             have been taken from mature leaves in 2008. The ratio leaf             length/leaf width is generally between 3.6 and 3.8.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 165.0 millimeters without leaf             petiole.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 45.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate and small.         -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Dark Green (RHS Green 137             A). Lower surface. — Medium Green (RHS Green 137 B to 137             C).         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth, glabrous.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color. — Light green with a cream touch (RHS             Yellow Green 145 D).         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or             two smaller leaves, which are at least 50% smaller than the             normal leaf.         -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium. Length. —             Approximately between 8.0 and 12.0 mm. Diameter. —             Approximately between 1.5 and 2.0 mm. Color. — Upper face is             green (RHS Green Group 137 D to C) and lower face is yellow             green (RHS Yellow Green 145 C to D).         -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered medium. Their length is             about 2.0 millimeters. Number. — Generally 3 to 4. Type. —             Reniform. Color. — On young leaves, leaf glands color is             considered a pale green (RHS Green 145 B). On older leaves,             leaf glands color turn to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A             to 199 B).         -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.             But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves             uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or             3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of             development, the floral buds are conic in form with a round             tip. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variables             dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are             approximately 11.0 millimeters wide and approximately 18.0             millimeters long.         -   Flower buds.—Color. — This characteristic is dependent upon             the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development,             the bottom of the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of             purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to C); the             corolla, formed by the petals, is generally of medium pink             color (varying from RHS Red Purple 65 A to C). Petals color             shows an evolution until the end of flowering. The buds are             considered hardy under typical central Pyrénées-Orientales             departement climatic conditions.         -   Hardiness.—No winter injury was noted during the last             several years of evaluation in the central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with winter temperatures as             low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety             has not been intentionally subjected to drought or heat             stress, but the variety showed a very good resistance in             orchard to temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius with an             average temperature between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius during             3 weeks in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—Generally March. The first bloom was observed             on Mar. 1, 2003.         -   Blooming time.—Considered of semi-early to semi-late season             in relative comparison to other commercial peach cultivars             grown in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The             date of full bloom is observed on March. The date of bloom             varies with climatic conditions and cultural practices. Thus             the first full bloom was observed approximately on Mar.             6, 2003. Last observed blooming times were from Mar, 2, 2007             to Mar. 12, 2007, then from Feb. 21, 2008 to Feb. 29, 2008,             then from Mar. 1, 2009 to Mar. 14, 2009.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 12 days. This             characteristic varies with the prevailing climatic             conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full             bloom is approximately between 28.0 and 34.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately 40 and 45             flowers per meter.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1.         -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered medium for the species.         -   Length.—Generally about 19.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally about 18.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Rounded.         -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Medium Pink (RHS Red Purple 65 A to C) when             young, slightly darkening with advancing senescence.         -   Fragrance.—Slight.         -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a conic             form with a slightly rounded extremity. Length. —             Approximately 5.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 4.0             millimeters.         -   Petal margins.—Generally slightly undulated.         -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices have generally a             wide-dome shape.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium in length and             having an average length of approximately 4.0 millimeters.             Diameter. — Considered average, approximately 2.0             millimeters. Color. — A medium brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 C             to D).         -   Floral nectaries.—Color. — A green yellow (RHS Yellow 13 A             to B or RHS Yellow Green 150 A to B)         -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth, glabrous. Color.             — The outer surface of the calyx is considered of             Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to D) color.         -   Sepals.—Form. — Oval. Surface texture. — The outer surface             has a short, fine pubescent texture. Size. — Medium. Color.             — Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to D).         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 40             stamens per flower.         -   Anthers.—Generally. — Medium in length. Color. — Yellow             orange (RHS 16 A to B) browning after maturity to red to             orange-red color (approximately RHS Greyed Purple 178 A).         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to C). The             present variety is considered self fruitful             (self-pollinating).         -   Filaments.—Size. — Variable in length, approximately 11.0 to             19.0 millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally             superior to the pistil's length.         -   Color.—Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple             62 C to D) or pink (RHS Red Purple 73 A to B).         -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1. Generally. — Average in size.             Length. — Approximately 13.0 to 16.0 millimeters including             the ovary; Generally smaller to equal to filaments' length.             Color. — Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green 150             D or RHS Yellow Green 151 D). Surface texture. — Glabrous. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm ripe condition (shipping             ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 25, 2003.         -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 4, 2003. The date of harvest             varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The             ‘ASFPBF0796’ variety has a semi-late date of picking, and a             grouped maturity: only 2 harvests in approximately 10 days             are generally necessary. Last known picking times were from             Jul. 22 to Jul. 31, 2007, then from Jul. 21 to Jul. 31,             2008, then from Jul. 24 to Aug. 2, 2009.         -   Size.—Generally. — Considered medium to large, and             homogeneous in size.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 70.0 to 80.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 35.0 to 42.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally around 170.0 grams. This             characteristic is highly dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Round and flattened. The fruit is             generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from the suture's             plane. Generally little dented.         -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed, extending from the base to the             apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the             suture line.         -   Suture.—Color. — The suture has generally a color similar to             the whole fruit color: red (RHS Red Purple 61 A to B or RHS             Red Group 47 C to D).         -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth.         -   Apex.—Depressed.         -   Base.—Semi wide-mouthed, shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about             0.7 cm. Average width is about 1.6 cm.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered thick and strong, and             tenacious to moderately tenacious to the flesh depending on             stage of maturity. Texture. — Almost not pubescent, very             smooth for a peach variety. Taste. — Semi-sweet, very             aromatic, with a high level of sugars. Tendency to crack. —             Generally none.         -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is a luminous red             (RHS Red Purple 61 A to B or Red Group 47 C to D). The red             blush covers more than 95% of the fruit skin surface. Ground             color. — Only on 5% of the whole fruit skin surface, and             exclusively on the inferior part of the fruit: RHS Orange             White Group 159 A to B.         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 6.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to 145 B).         -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Very evenly, slowly, long shelf-life.             Texture. — Firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at             harvest maturity stage. Fibers. — Generally not fibrous.             Aroma. — Pronounced. Eating quality. — Considered very good,             aromatic. Flavor. — Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is             superior to 13 and acidity comprised between 6 and 9             meq/100 ml. The flavor is considered aromatic. Juice. — Very             juicy at complete maturity. Brix. — Generally superior to             13.0 degrees in our area, but can be higher in very warm and             sunny areas, such as Spain. This characteristic varies             slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing             cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.             Flesh color. — White flesh (RHS White Group N 155 D) with             red pigmentation near the stone (RHS Red Purple 60 A to B). -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Semi-Clingstone.         -   Size.—Small. The stone size varies significantly depending             upon the tree vigor, crop load and prevailing growing             conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 20.0 to 25.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 20.0 to 24.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 14.0 to 16.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Flat.         -   Base.—Straight.         -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is flat.         -   Stone cavity.—Considered small sized, with form and             dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.         -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely             furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are flatter and more             pronounced on lateral faces. Ridges. — The surface texture             is generally characterized by more prominent ridges along             the ventral edges and is more prominent at the apical tip.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered an orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166 A to C).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is generally absent.         -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel is considered small, about 7.0 mm             long and 5.0 mm thick. Form. — Considered flat and elliptic.             Occasionally double. Pellicle. — Slighlty pubescent. Color.             — The kernel skin is a light orange-yellow (RHS Greyed             Orange 166 C). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel,             is cream-white (RHS Orange White 159 D). The kernel and its             embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity. -   Use: The subject variety ASFPBF0796′ is considered to be a peach     tree of the semi-late season of maturity, and which produces fruits     that are considered firm, attractively colored. Fruits have a     semi-sweet taste and a very specific and developed flavor. They are     excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full     maturity. Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density, and long     shelf-life on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting     they are useful for both local and very long distance shipping. -   Keeping quality: Good. Fruits have a slow maturation and a long     shelf-life both on the tree after growth completion and after     harvesting. Storage was possible at 2.0 degree Celsius during     approximately 2 weeks.

Shipping quality: Considered good. The fruit of the new peach variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life without alteration after harvest permit several weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.

-   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery     mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and     strong skin. The new variety pistil cup, well closed, appeared to be     little sensitive to cracking.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of flat peach tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive skin, with a very high percentage of red blush. 